308 win 175gr VLDH testing

[Tronneroi]

So I followed Berger's recommended guidelines for testing loads using the VLDH bullets.

Load 24 rounds at the following Cartridge Base to Ogive lengths.

6 rounds at X – 0.010”
6 rounds at X – 0.050”
6 rounds at X – 0.090”
6 rounds at X – 0.130”

Shooting 3 groups of each should show an outright winner as far as group size goes.

These were my results:



I'm curious to hear about anyone else's experience with VLD's and where you would go from here. I'm not sure if I should go ahead with the -0.010 or the -0.050 loads.

[kujoseto]

I don’t think I’d be drawing much conclusions from just the one test pic.

@.130 you have 4 shots practically in one hole. If these were the first two shots of each 3 shot group at that seating depth, I’d say it looks pretty good with a superlite.
But from my own experience, if those were my groups, I’d probably be working with the gun more before I made any decisions on it one way or the other.
Have you shot other ammo in that gun?
Have you shot better more consistent groups with a different load?
What kind of rest setup and cool down period between shots?

I think there will be more questions than answers from people.

I made a thread about horizontal stringing that helps discuss my learning curve with a lightweight rifle that may be worth the read. I learned a ton through that process.

Edit: PS
I also only change my seating depth by 0.020” each step when I’m looking for optimal coal, so using double that amount you may be missing some key info - like an optimal seating depth between your steps
(The bottom three shots on the top right target are from using the magnetospeed on the barrel while aiming at the target below, so just pay attention to the 0.250” group)

[Salavee]

Not to be bold, but I would try those VLD's at 200, or better yet 250 yds and see if there is any major difference in your POI . What twist rate do you have ?

[Tronneroi]

Originally Posted by kujoseto

I don’t think I’d be drawing much conclusions from just the one test pic.

@.130 you have 4 shots practically in one hole. If these were the first two shots of each 3 shot group at that seating depth, I’d say it looks pretty good with a superlite.
But from my own experience, if those were my groups, I’d probably be working with the gun more before I made any decisions on it one way or the other.
Have you shot other ammo in that gun?
Have you shot better more consistent groups with a different load?
What kind of rest setup and cool down period between shots?

A little bit more info:

Twist rate is 1:11

Rifle shoots 165gr SST's consistently .75MOA @ 2770fps 5 shot groups

Shooting off a bench, front bipod, rear bags. Temp was -11 that day and I let the barrel cool completely between each 6 shot string with the only pause being taken between 3 shot groups to load the mag.

I didn't even think to look at the overlap of the two 3 shot groups. Good info to think about. Now that I have a good amount of 1x fired lapua brass I think I'll run the test again with a .002 shoulder bump and see if a certain group stands out more than the others.

[Dick284]

Take her on out to 300 or 400, and try your top contenders, if you get a bit of horizontal that’s just a weather report, it’s vertical spread you wanna be aware of.

Good luck, keep sharing.

[kujoseto]

Not much weather at 100.
I suggested my thread titled horizontal stringing because I learned it had more to do with shooting form than load or weather.
Definitely test them further out

[Tronneroi]

Thanks kujo. Will check out your thread.

Dick, will take it out to 300 and see what the report is.

Will post results when I get some range time in.

[kujoseto]

Be sure to come back and post more pics and results here. It would be really interesting to see how things develop

[waldedw]

Originally Posted by Tronneroi

So I followed Berger's recommended guidelines for testing loads using the VLDH bullets.
Shooting 3 groups of each should show an outright winner as far as group size goes.

These were my results:



I'm curious to hear about anyone else's experience with VLD's and where you would go from here. I'm not sure if I should go ahead with the -0.010 or the -0.050 loads.

Looks like you have some very good starting points, those groups are good, in fact I wouldn't mess with most of them

[Tronneroi]

So I was able to get out and test a few more of these loads today. Despite the wind down south, was a real nice day to get out and poke some holes.



The top two loads were 0.010 off the lands, the next row down were 0.050 off the lands. Basically performed the same as my first test. Took Dick's advice and poked out a little further.

This was the -0.010 batch at 250yds.



After the 100 yd tests I dialed up 7 clicks to zero for 200. I'm using a Leupold VX2 3-9x40.